Table of contents for 2025-10-22 in Post

SHAHID Kapoor cannot contain his delight as his brother Ishaan Khatter receives love and appreciation for his phenomenal performance in his latest release, Homebound. Khatter’s proudest cheerleader took to Instagram and posted a black-and-white photo of them hugging. Kapoor wrote: “This boy is an artist that’s homebound. @ishaankhatter am so proud of you. “It’s a joy to see you come into your own as an actor and express your inner self with honestly and commitment. “You are going from strength to strength, and I can’t tell you how proud I feel. You go get ‘em boy. Show them what you got. Always your proudest cheerleader.” Kapoor’s better half and Khatter’s sister-in-law, Mira Rajput Kapoor, also praised him for his performance in the film. Rajput Kapoor lauded Khatter for his impactful…

IF RUMOURS doing the rounds in the industry are to be believed, actor Vishal, apart from playing the lead in Magudam, has also now taken over as the director. It may be recalled that Ravi Arasu was directing this movie, which is now in its final stages of shooting. Sources in the industry claim that the actor had taken over as the director after differences erupted between him and Arasu. Video clips that showed Vishal issuing instructions to the crew on the set were shared on social media. However, there has been no official announcement in this regard. Dushara Vijayan, who played one of the heroines in the film, had already completed shooting for her portions. The team, which completed its third schedule in Ooty, began its final schedule in…

ONCE upon a time, a Tamil Diwali release was an event. You didn’t just watch the movie; you lived it. You booked tickets days in advance, ironed your new outfit, stood in serpentine queues, and joined a theatre full of strangers screaming as if they were all family. Now? You scroll through the list of this year’s releases and wonder, huh …is this it? Once, Diwali meant Sivaji: The Boss lighting up screens with Rajinikanth’s trademark swagger; Mersal giving us message and magic in one breath. Even Vaaranam Aayiram and 7aum Arivu had something cinematic to offer. There was spectacle, sound and a sense that Tamil cinema is alive, sparking and lighting up the skies during Diwali. But this year, what do we get? A forgettable line-up headlined by something…

IN MY 60 years in journalism, I witnessed many harrowing and heart-breaking incidents. But never in my career have I read of such a heartbreaking story – “Tragedy at labour department: 60-year old dies while seeking pension” (the POST, October 15 – 19). An incident of this magnitude should have been on page one of your newspaper, not three. This profound and degrading incident was a crime against humanity. It glaringly displayed man’s inhumanity to man. The careless attitude of Sassa and the nearby government clinic should be investigated at the highest level. Such acts of absolute cruelty happen every day. As a nation we are devoid of empathy and compassion. Cruelty is manifested everywhere, in our institutions, both governmental and private. Such blatant and brazen inhumane behaviour is a…

ON SEPTEMBER 30, South Africa’s ambassador to France, Nathi Mthethwa plunged to his death from the 22nd floor of the Hyatt Regency in Paris. Mthethwa was on the Madlanga Commission’s witness list to give testimony. I personally liked Mthethwa – the lanky pilgarlick who had a penchant for reading, writing and research. His general, cool-as-a-cucumber demeanour, dress sense, unmistakable swagger, powerful intellect and genteel smile made him the perfect politician. He did a great job abroad as a foreign diplomat. A local son of the soil, he grew up in Durban in Klaarwater, Mariannhill, and started his activism at a young age. While all of this could make a riveting and intriguing narrative for a Robert Ludlum or Frederick Forsyth script, this tragedy brings out the ambiguity of private life…

THE KwaZulu-Natal Education Department must not aim for surface-level matric success. The department’s ambition for a 100% matric pass rate sounds impressive, but it can mask deeper systemic issues. If pupils are pushed through the system without mastering foundational skills, the final results are hollow. Education MEC Sipho Hlomuka has announced a pushy plan to elevate matric pass rates to at least 95% by 2025, yet this goal is not met without scrutiny from various education stakeholders who question the effectiveness of a target-driven approach amid significant learning challenges. He proclaimed the start of the academic year as “buoyant”, attributing the positivity to the strong performance of the Class of 2024. Outlining the newly-minted 2025 academic improvement plan, Hlomuka said the real challenge lay ahead, to surpass existing success. The…

ON READING Haresh Ouderajh’s eloquent tribute to the late “Raj” Bodasing, the , October 1-5, it came as a revelation to me that the Raj Cinema in Durban was named after this late visionary entrepreneur and lawyer. I did not know this illustrious personality, but I am familiar with the family name which hails from northern KwaZulu-Natal. I used to mark matric English exam papers with a colleague bearing the surname, Bodasing. As a youth growing up in Durban, I can safely say that I spent more quality time in the cinemas than I did at high school – an admission that got me into trouble often with my teachers and almost expelled at one stage. So I was astonished to discover that the Raj Cinema was named after an…

From fighting apartheid to taking law outside of the courtrooms to make it more accessible, Judge Mohini Moodley’s career is a masterclass in using law as a tool for community empowerment. Judge Moodley, who retired in July 2023 as judge of the KwaZulu-Natal Division of the High Court, speaks on the challenge of looking beyond tokenism and ‘pioneer’ status to focus on true equity JUDGE Mohini Moodley’s journey in law begins in apartheid South Africa. Hailing from a politically-conscious community, she was drawn to law early on, engaging with anti-apartheid organisations and leaders. Rather than leave South Africa (like many activists were forced to), she made the deliberate choice to remain and use the legal system to fight apartheid. Initially pursuing an English Honours degree and working as an academic,…

THERE is a growing trend of establishing non-profit organisations with the aim to utilise these organisations as vehicles to uplift society. What is notably sad is these NPOs have become a modus operandi for directors to use these platforms to boost their public image and get drunk on popularity. These directors maintain active campaigns with the use of photography, especially of faces of recipients in destitute on various social media platforms, bringing humiliation to recipients who trade their dignity for a grocery hamper or a meal. While the directors are elevated and reap the glory of recognition, humiliation is the price the recipient pays. NPOs now position themselves as authority bodies to recognise members of the public who have made a valuable contribution to society. While the need is…

ACTRESS Preity Zinta and actor Bobby Deol’s friendship continues to shine even after three decades, and their recent reunion at designer Manish Malhotra’s Diwali bash turned out to be a heartfelt trip down memory lane. Zinta took to social media to share a post that screamed nostalgia, celebrating her beautiful bond with Deol. In her post, she shared fun anecdotes about him, his wife Tanya and herself. “Some friendships just get better with time. From the first time Tanya and Bobby met (yes, it was at a Diwali party), and yes, I was there in a small way and was a part of the start of their love story; to the Soldiers’ shoot in Australia, which was also their honeymoon, and I was there as a third wheel, they…

RAGHAV Juyal, who is basking in the success of Bads of Bollywood, announced he would change his look for Telugu star Nani’s eagerly-awaited entertainer, The Paradise. The actor, who impressed audiences and critics with his performance in the recent Bollywood hit, shared an exciting update on Instagram. Juyal said: “Sharing this because it’s the last time you’ll see me like this. I’m changing my look for my next film, The Paradise. Once the transformation starts, I’ll be staying quiet until we reveal it. We’ve started shooting at Hyderabad. I’m very excited. I hope you all like my Telugu debut. Love you all.” The announcement has sparked curiosity and anticipation among fans, who are eager to see him in an all-new avatar. Juyal had such a blast at the script-reading session…

BISON, directed by Mari Selvaraj, is a big, bold and unabashed Kollywood movie that stars Kollywood hunk Dhruv Vikram, the son of megastar Kollywood hero Chiyan Vikram. Chiyan handed over his mantle to Dhruv to continue and he shines in this movie as Kittan, the son of Vellusamy, a former kabaddi player, played by respected Kollywood actor Pasupathy. The latter incidentally starred in a few movies with Chiyan, so it was no surprise when Selvaraj chose Pasupathy to play Dhruv’s father. The chemistry between them was endearing. Bison is a raw, realistic and sobering movie that brings to the fore the sordid world of caste and language biasedness. Kittan (Dhruv) lives with his father Velusamy and sister Raji (Rajisha Vijayan) in a rural village in Tamil Nadu. Kittan is…

A PHOENIX woman and her partner have been arrested on murder charges after they allegedly hired two vagrants to murder her father for R3 500. Arthur “Brian” Ramsamy, a recently retired eThekwini Municipality employee, was found strangled in his Weylen Close, Lenham, home on October 5. Shortly thereafter, two people believed to be vagrants, were arrested and charged with murder. Ramsamy’s daughter, Nicola Ramsamy and her partner, Brenden Sanichara, were arrested and charged with murder last week. They shared a home with the deceased. The couple, who are represented by attorney Chris Gounden, made their first appearance in the Verulam Magistrate’s Court on Monday. The matter was adjourned for a formal bail application later this week, for all four accused. According to a source close to the investigation, on the…

LENASIA karate master Hanshi Mohan Hira’s journey to becoming an internationally-recognised karate expert began in the mid-1950s, when he faced significant barriers to his sporting career due to apartheid. Despite being denied entry to white-only dojos as a youth, his determination led him to train privately with Norman Robinson, eventually inspiring others in the community to pursue martial arts. Born in India on December 14, 1938, Hira immigrated to South Africa in 1947, settling with his family in the Malay Camp in Ferreirastown in Johannesburg. He began his martial arts training in 1956 and earned his first dan in Shotokan Karate in 1960. Over the years, he has trained under internationally-renowned karate masters and graduated hundreds of junior karatekas. Hira also participated in bodybuilding, table tennis, soccer and cricket, and…

THE recent passing of 60-year-old Manikum Pillay at a government facility in Verulam was indeed a tragedy. The Democratic Alliance (DA) extends its sincere condolences to the family during this time of profound grief. While initial reports suggested that Pillay collapsed inside the Sassa office, on-site investigations and discussions established that this was not the case. Instead, Pillay was at the Department of Labour. Following considerable public concern and in the interest of clarity, we conducted a site visit to the Department of Labour and the Verulam Clinic. Upon arrival at the labour offices, we observed sufficient seating and well-managed queues – clearly separated according to services offered. We also confirmed that Pillay was outside the building at the time of his collapse. Tragically, he sustained a severe head injury…

EACH Diwali, the Festival of Lights, millions of South Africans of Indian origin celebrate the triumph of light over darkness, of knowledge over ignorance, and of good over evil. Yet, as calls grow for Diwali to be recognised as a public holiday, a jarring chorus has emerged from the shadows, voices saying, “Go back to India”. It is a bitter irony. Thirty-one years into democracy, such words still echo across social media and in public discourse – careless, racist and deeply hurtful. They betray not only a lack of respect, but a painful absence of historical knowledge. Indians have been part of the South African story since 1652, long before the formal arrival of indentured labourers in 1860. Generations were born here, worked the sugar cane fields, built businesses, served…

WHAT is clear about the ersatz peace deal in Gaza being touted in Western media is that it is a grand show for the cameras and borne out of a desperate need to placate the masses. The world is on the cusp of a revolution, the likes of which have never before been seen. This revolution took two years to gain momentum and it is crucial, nay, vital for all efforts to be continued. We have been fooled for so long, blinded by the media about the real events in Palestine, that only when the genocide began in Gaza, we snapped out of it for a while. The outrage that grew cannot reduce to a simmer now that politicians are shaking hands and treaties are being signed. There is no…

AT 80 years old, Bobby Sewpersad has already climbed Mount Kilimanjaro twice, but now needs community support to achieve his final summit of Africa's tallest peak. The published a wonderful article on Sewpersad, who put many younger people to shame. His achievements are amazing. Even at the ripe old age of 80, he still has itchy feet. He has climbed Mount Kilimanjaro twice, but he still wants to do it one more time. However, he has insufficient funds to undertake this daredevil challenge. He needs money for travel and accommodation in Kenya. Someone promised to sponsor him but let him down. I am appealing to the readers to help this wonderful spirited man achieve his ambition of conquering Mount Kilimanjaro for the last time. If he makes it…

FOLLOWING the death of Zulu monarch King Goodwill Zwelithini, one of his sons Prince Misizulu ascended the throne. This occurred after customs, traditions and tribal law were taken cognisance of, noting that all of these are pivotal to the succession issue. There was dissension in some quarters regarding the decision. Even court challenges were launched concerning the heir to the throne, particularly those made by Misizulu’s siblings Simakade and Mbonisi. Recently the Supreme Court of Appeal overruled the 2023 Pretoria High Court judgment that set aside Misizulu’s recognition as monarch by President Cyril Ramaphosa. It is hoped that now that this contentious matter has been settled legally unity will prevail. To this end King Misizulu has called for a meeting (Isibaya) of relevant persons, primarily those of the Zulu royal…

A shoe company owner from Glenwood, was found murdered with gunshot wounds and his eyes removed. His body was found in Montclair bushes hours after he went missing on Diwali day. His vehicle and cellphone are missing as police investigate the brutal killing. Loganathan Govender, 57, of Glenwood, left his company, Proficient Shoe Importers, at 10am on Monday to run an errand. Eight hours later he was found shot dead in the bushes in Benson Road. His eyes were also removed. When he did not return, his employees notified his family, and authorities who launched a search for him. At around 6pm, vagrants discovered his body, with gunshot wounds to his face and abdomen. His vehicle, a white Ford Ranger, and cellphone were taken. Dawn Gounden from Renegades Search and…

I LIVE near the Shell Garage at the corner of Northern Drive and Phoenix Highway (JG Champion Drive and Gandhi Highway). Mr Mayor (Cyril Xaba), there are recurring power outages at the Phoenix Shell garage, creating dangerous conditions for motorists and pedestrians, while the noise from the back-up generators disrupts the nearby residents. Almost every second or third week in the month, this garage has no electricity for up to four days at a time. During this outage, the busy traffic lights do not work and all we hear are the screeching of brakes and honking of hooters. It sometimes results in accidents. The street lights also do not work, making it dark and dangerous, especially for those who use public transport. They could get robbed, mugged or assaulted in…

ISHITA Dutta will mark her return to the silver screen with the sequel, De De Pyaar De 2. This will be her first release after becoming a mother of two – a son Vaayu and a daughter Veda. Dutta said she shot the romantic comedy while being pregnant with her daughter. She shared a photograph of herself on Instagram. She said returning after such a long time felt like a “new beginning”. “I was pregnant with Veda while filming this one. Being back after four years feels so strange. Need your blessings. I have forgotten how to pose. I have forgotten how to be me. To a new beginning,” the Drishyam actress wrote. The trailer shows Ayesha (played by Rakul Preet Singh) telling her parents (played by R Madhavan and…

VISHAL Jethwa, whose film Homebound has been announced as India’s official entry for the best international feature film category at the 98th Academy Awards, said the film had been a life-changing experience, professionally and personally. “It was an amazing experience. We made the film with a lot of love. We are very proud of our film. It feels good when the film is accepted internationally. My personal experience was very good. It was life-changing.” It changed him as an actor, and as a person. “I have changed a lot after this film. Now I see society in a different way. I am so grateful for that.” The film was produced by Dharma Productions and also stars Janhvi Kapoor and Ishaan Khatter. The movie had its world premiere in the Un…

SHAN Moodley is not merely an artist. He is a custodian of memory, a sculptor of truth, and an innovator who has shaped South Africa’s cultural conscience across classrooms, studios and screens. From his early days as an art teacher and later as an inspector of art education at the young age of 29, Moodley nurtured generations of young minds, insisting that creativity was not a luxury but a necessity, especially in communities denied beauty by apartheid’s brutal architecture. His pedagogical style was rooted in dignity, discipline and the belief that art could awaken civic imagination. But it was in the realm of his real calling – as TV and film producer – that Shan Moodley’s genius and poetic pulse found fullest expression. With an eye for nuance and a…

AS MATRIC pupils start the final exams, success is not centered around only knowledge but on mastering time management, resilience and self-discipline. Mental and physical preparation is key. Ayurveda, an ancient holistic system, offers natural ways to balance the body through herbs, diet, lifestyle and therapies. These tips can help improve concentration, memory and stress management, making studying more effective. Remember: “The true art of memory is the art of attention.” By incorporating Ayurvedic practices, you can sharpen your mind and stay focused during intense study periods. Optimise your diet for brain power: Fuel your brain with nutrient-rich foods to enhance cognitive function. Start your day by soaking 5 to 6 almonds overnight, peeling them, and eating them raw. These boost memory thanks to vitamin E, riboflavin, L-carnitine, and…

AFTER three years of searching through an overgrown and neglected cemetery, Nirri Cole finally found her fallen police officer father’s grave thanks to dedicated local volunteers. Her emotional reunion brings closure while highlighting the dire state of Mountain Rise Cemetery. With local volunteer, Deon van Niekerk, and his dedicated team cleaning up the Mountain Rise Cemetery, Cole was able to visit the final resting place of her late father, Nathamoney Pandarum, a respected police officer who died in the line of duty in 1988. “My dad was a humble man from a respected family,” said Cole, who lives in Belfort and works as a unit administrative assistant at Mediclinic, in Pietermaritzburg. “He was known as the ‘laughing policeman’ because of his pleasant nature and he always smiled. He had a…

AS YOU read this column, Indian indentured workers on the Truro and Belvedere were on the Indian ocean making their way to Natal, 165 years ago. In the year that we commemorate the 165th arrival of the first indentured workers to the colony of Natal, much work remains in telling the full account of the experiences of those indentured workers. The extract, below, is from the Indian Africans that documents the diary of a ship captain who ferried Indian indentured workers. What we know about the voyages of the SS Truro and SS Belvedere in 1860 is that about 684 indentured workers huddled together on the journey to their new African homes. Their sweat was to grease the ailing economy of colonial Natal. The Belvedere left Calcutta for Port Natal…

Libraries are among our most valuable community assets. South Africa’s Constitution also guarantees every individual the right to education and access to information – a right that libraries help to make a daily reality. Despite being critical centres of reading, learning and economic opportunity, libraries and other cultural facilities are unfortunately often regarded as the poor relative of other front-line government departments such as health, social development and education. The bulk of KwaZulu-Natal’s (KZN) 224 libraries were established many years ago. Oversight by the Democratic Alliance (DA) shows that in most instances they are well run by librarians and staff who are both passionate and proud of their facilities. While this is a real positive, regrettably most libraries also face challenges such as poor infrastructure maintenance, sporadic internet connectivity and…

POLITICAL analyst Prince Mashele did not hold back in his critique of the government, describing the ANC as a “criminal enterprise”, and questioning the silence of GNU partners like the IFP. With 40% of the votes, President Cyril Ramaphosa lured all other parties who are in the GNU to join them in ruining this country. The ANC, in the words of Mashele, “has become so corrupt that there is no difference between a minister or deputy minister than a hardcore criminal”. My party, the IFP jumped into bed with the ANC. The IFP is silent in exposing the shenanigans of the ANC. They have their mouths shut because these IFP ministers and deputy ministers are earning in excess of R300 000 per month. We do not hear of them raising…

IT WAS Father’s Day a few years ago when former US president Barack Obama wrote about every father’s most fundamental duty in life. Show your children, by example, the kind of people you want them to become. This brought to mind two people you should all be familiar with by now. One was my late friend, author and reconteur Aziz Hassim, my kindred spirit and clearly one of the most unforgettable and inspirational characters in my career. If truth be told, when I first bumped into him in Durban’s old Casbah some decades ago, I had no inkling he had an interest in writing. He was just a regular guy who’d come up life the hard way, first selling newspapers at street corners, filling several lowly paid jobs before working…

NOW that the sacred month of Purtassi has drawn to a close, I extend my heartfelt congratulations to all who observed this period of fasting, penance, and abstinence. This annual festival is a beautiful opportunity for families to unite, rekindle spirituality in our homes, and reflect on the profound values of charity and goodwill. During this holy time, I visited several temples with a hopeful heart but was saddened to find most of them nearly empty. This silence speaks volumes. It underscores an urgent need for us, as a community, to actively preserve our rich cultural heritage. The responsibility is twofold. First, as parents, we must be the primary custodians of our culture, consciously passing on its wisdom and traditions to our children. Second, our religious organisations and their leaders…

This season’s Sharks are looking alarmingly like the same side that stumbled through parts of last season until a late recovery in the United Rugby Championship (URC) took them to the semi-finals – disjointed, error-prone and unable to turn potential into points. After four URC matches without a win, many among the Kings Park faithful may be asking whether John Plumtree is still the right man for the job. Plumtree’s squad is stacked with Springbok pedigree and World Cup winners and should be challenging for the title, not sitting near the bottom of the table. What makes the current situation harder to excuse is that Plumtree has faced this problem before. Last season, he admitted to the difficulty of integrating returning Springboks after the international window, disrupting combinations and squad…

The KingFisher’s Scratch & Win Event is officially up and running, and anglers across KwaZulu-Natal are already diving into the action. Running throughout October across all seven KingFisher stores and online, this month-long promotion is reeling in excitement with over R500,000 worth of discounts and giveaways up for grabs. Adding to the buzz, seven Golden Tickets are hidden among the prizes, each giving one lucky angler the ultimate reward – their entire purchase absolutely free. Getting involved is simple: spend R300, collect a Scratch & Win ticket, and you’re guaranteed a prize. With every ticket winning something, and Golden Tickets waiting to be discovered, October at The KingFisher is shaping up to be a month of unbeatable value and fishing fever. It’s been a windy week out there – plenty…